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JBroadway

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Broadway LegendJoined: 4/6/24

#2The Comics Code

Posted: 2/28/25 at 2:41pm

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As far as I'm aware, the answer to both of your questions is "yes" - but open to being corrected. 

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CATSNYrevival

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/1/24

#3The Comics Code

Posted: 2/28/25 at 3:37pm

 

And that's why they are allowed to reference the Marvel heroes but cannot feature their costumes?

The funny thing is, at the Fantastic Four scene rehearsal in the Hudson theater, I really didn't notice that they weren't wearing the original costumes. I actually think that the 'generic superhero' costumes make them seem more like a half-formed idea rather than the finished piece. To me that's one of the cleverist things about The Comics Code -it makes you realize that there was a time when these characters were just a sketch. Was that Richard's idea? 

 

 

 

JBroadway

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Broadway LegendJoined: 4/6/24

#4The Comics Code

Posted: 2/28/25 at 3:51pm

 

CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"

 

Why would Disney own it? 

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least. 

 

 

barcelona20

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Broadway StarJoined: 1/19/24

#5The Comics Code

Posted: 2/28/25 at 4:34pm

 

Hmm good questions. I just don't understand why they are keeping the rights to themselves.  I figure at least community theater or colleges would love to give it a try.  I'm in the minority but I enjoy most of the music from the show.

 

 

perfectliar

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Broadway LegendJoined: 7/1/24

#6The Comics Code

Posted: 2/28/25 at 5:28pm

 

JBroadway said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"



Why would Disney own it?

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least."

Disney owns Marvel Entertainment and has since 2009, which I would assume is why CATSNY thought they would own the musical (the character was licensed to producers but Marvel didn't contribute financially, according to Variety). Only the producers would likely know how much longer the license lasts (if it hasn't expired already), and after that point, ownership of the musical would likely revert to Marvel, right? If that's the case, it's no wonder we haven't heard of it since it closed in 2014: Marvel has its own brand of touring shows and now plays available to license, and they have full control over those and never did of Spider-Man.

 

 

 

joevitus

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Broadway LegendJoined: 7/10/24

#7The Comics Code

Posted: 1/28/25 at 5:46pm

 

perfectliar said: "JBroadway said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"



Why would Disney own it?

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least."

Disney owns Marvel Entertainment and has since 2009, which I would assume is why CATSNY thought they would own the musical (the character was licensed to producers but Marvel didn't contribute financially, according to Variety). Only the producers would likely know how much longer the license lasts (if it hasn't expired already), and after that point, ownership of the musical would likely revert to Marvel, right? If that's the case, it's no wonder we haven't heard of it since it closed in 2014: Marvel has its own brand of touring shows and now plays available to license, and they have full control over those and never did of Spider-Man."

So I'm confused--can you tell I'm not a lawyer? 

Though Disney/Marvell didn't write, stage or finance the show, the show belongs entirely to them? Not whomever wrote it or produced it? That sounds really weird. I can understand they might have leased the characters, so any future production would have to get their permission in part to move forward. But they really own it all? I don't think DC has that kind of control over It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (granted, that contract would have been written up more than half a century ago).

Updated On: 8/28/24 at 05:46 PM

 

 

Impossible2

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/31/24

#8The Comics Code

Posted: 1/28/25 at 6:31pm

 

perfectliar said: "JBroadway said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"



Why would Disney own it?

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least."

Disney owns Marvel Entertainment and has since 2009, which I would assume is why CATSNY thought they would own the musical (the character was licensed to producers but Marvel didn't contribute financially, according to Variety). Only the producers would likely know how much longer the license lasts (if it hasn't expired already), and after that point, ownership of the musical would likely revert to Marvel, right? If that's the case, it's no wonder we haven't heard of it since it closed in 2014: Marvel has its own brand of touring shows and now plays available to license, and they have full control over those and never did of Spider-Man."

Sony owns the rights to the Spider-Man character.

 

 

 

ggersten

Broadway LegendJoined: 5/11/24

#9The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 7:25pm

 

Impossible2 said: "perfectliar said: "JBroadway said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"



Why would Disney own it?

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least."

Disney owns Marvel Entertainment and has since 2009, which I would assume is why CATSNY thought they would own the musical (the character was licensed to producers but Marvel didn't contribute financially, according to Variety). Only the producers would likely know how much longer the license lasts (if it hasn't expired already), and after that point, ownership of the musical would likely revert to Marvel, right? If that's the case, it's no wonder we haven't heard of it since it closed in 2014: Marvel has its own brand of touring shows and now plays available to license, and they have full control over those and never did of Spider-Man."

Sonyowns the rightsto the Spider-Man character."

Sony does not own Spider-Man.  Sony has/owns certain production rights pursuant to contract. The contract will specify how long Sony keeps those rights. 

 

 

perfectliar

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Broadway LegendJoined: 7/1/24

#10The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 7:26pm

 

Impossible2 said: "Sonyowns the rightsto the Spider-Man character."

Just for film, I think.

 

 

Impossible2

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/31/24

#11The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 7:28pm

 

ggersten said: "Impossible2 said: "perfectliar said: "JBroadway said: "CATSNYrevival said: "I imagine Disney owns it now?"



Why would Disney own it?

Sony holds the film rights to Spider-Man (hence, the recent debacle with the deal between Disney and Sony).

And I was going to say, even if Disney did own the film rights, those would probably be separate from the stage-rights given that the musical isn't based on the films. However, I see now that Sony did co-produce the musical, so there is some connection there at least."

Disney owns Marvel Entertainment and has since 2009, which I would assume is why CATSNY thought they would own the musical (the character was licensed to producers but Marvel didn't contribute financially, according to Variety). Only the producers would likely know how much longer the license lasts (if it hasn't expired already), and after that point, ownership of the musical would likely revert to Marvel, right? If that's the case, it's no wonder we haven't heard of it since it closed in 2014: Marvel has its own brand of touring shows and now plays available to license, and they have full control over those and never did of Spider-Man."

Sonyowns the rightsto the Spider-Man character."

Sony does not own Spider-Man. Sony has/ownscertain production rights pursuant to contract. The contract will specify how long Sony keeps those rights."

So exactly just what I said. Sony currently owns the rights to the Spider-Man character.

 

 

 

darreyl102

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Broadway LegendJoined: 8/23/24

#12The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 7:43pm

Umm, if anything they have leased the rights, they still don't own it

Darreyl with an L!

 

 

Fosse76

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/21/24

#13The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 7:51pm

 

Impossible2 said: "Sony owns the rights to the Spider-Man character."

No, Sony doesn't. Marvel only sold the film rights to Sony. This is pretty typical. Harry Potter's film rights were sold to Warner Brothers, but JK Rowling retained the stage rights until she sold them to, I assume, Jack Thorn or Sonia Friedman. She sold the theme park rights to Universal. When Disney purchased Marvel, they had to buy back the rights from the other studios; Sony was the lone holdout. 

Marvel actually sold the stage rights separately to Tony Adams, upon whose death were then held by his producing partner David Garfinkle. Unless there was a clause that transfers the rights back to Marvel under certain conditions, he presumably owns the rights until he sells them. 

 

 

Impossible2

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/31/24

#14The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 8:17pm

 

Fosse76 said: "Impossible2 said: "Sony owns the rights to the Spider-Man character."

No, Sony doesn't. Marvel only sold the film rights to Sony. This is pretty typical. Harry Potter's film rights were sold to Warner Brothers, but JK Rowling retained the stage rights until she sold them to, I assume, Jack Thorn or Sonia Friedman. She sold the theme park rights to Universal. When Disney purchased Marvel, they had to buy back the rights from the other studios; Sony was the lone holdout.

Marvel actually sold the stage rights separately to Tony Adams, upon whose death were then held by his producing partner David Garfinkle. Unless there was a clause that transfers the rights back to Marvel under certain conditions, he presumably owns the rights until he sells them."

Thank you for your correct answer instead of **** above it x

 

 

 

darreyl102

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Broadway LegendJoined: 8/23/24

#15The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 8:30pm

 

*maniacal Disney villain laughter*

Darreyl with an L!

Updated On: 8/28/19 at 08:30 PM

 

 

Impossible2

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/31/24

#16The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 8:32pm

 

darreyl102 said: "*maniacal Disney villain laughter*"
 

 

 

 

darreyl102

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Broadway LegendJoined: 8/23/24

#17The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 8:34pm

I'm glad we agree.

Darreyl with an L!

 

 

 

CATSNYrevival

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Broadway LegendJoined: 3/1/24

#18The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 10:41pm

 

JBroadway said: "Why would Disney own it?"

I apologize for the confusion. I just assumed since Disney bought Marvel they would own everything Spider-Man.

 

 

barcelona20

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Broadway StarJoined: 1/19/24

#19The Comics Code

Posted: 8/28/24 at 11:22pm

So assuming the rights are not owned by a giant corporation, why do you think they still aren't available for any other productions?

Wouldn't they make back some money?

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